Laser Cutters & Engravers iBlock Topics

Building Literacy: Develop a Play

iBlocks Project Based Learning Objective:

How does a story change when it’s developed into a play? In this Building Literacy: Develop a Play PBL (Project-Based Learning) iBlock, that’s exactly what students will explore as they become playwrights. Before writing their play, students will take a closer look at the history of theatre and play structure, then they will write and perform an original one-act play. Considerations will be made to set design, costuming, sound, lighting, casting, and blocking. Students can even consider how they could convert their play into a movie. It’s time to “break a leg!”
  • Grade Band: 9-12
  • Primary Focus: ELA, Performing Arts
  • Secondary Focus: Communication
  • Additional Foci: Advanced Literacy, Transferable Skills, Social-Emotional Learning
  • Suggested Product Category: 3D Modeling (incl. 3D printers, laser & craft cutters), AR/VR
  • Teq Product Alignment: ClassVR, Cricut, Formlabs, Makerbot, Shaper, Ultimaker, xTool
  • Academic Alignment: ELA, Art & Design, Literacy
  • CTE Alignment: Arts, Entertainment, and Design
Here is a sample content standard for this iBlock:
Develop and synthesize original ideas in a drama/theatre work utilizing critical analysis, historical and cultural context, research, and western or nonwestern theatre traditions. (National Core Arts Standards: HS AdvancedTH.Cr2-III.a)

Design Your Own Escape Room

iBlocks Project Based Learning Objective:

Escape room games are a fun amusement, but they also provide an opportunity to explore the history of new gaming formats, problem-solving skills, and even storytelling. In this Design Your Own Escape Room PBL iBlock, students will learn more about the history and culture of this “new” form of entertainment, and then plan, design, and construct their very own!
  • Grade Band: 9-12
  • Primary Focus: Design Thinking
  • Secondary Focus: Problem Solving, Engineering
  • Additional Foci: Advanced Literacy, Transferable Skills, Social-Emotional Learning
  • Suggested Product Category: 3D Modeling (incl. 3D printers, laser & craft cutters), Mobile App Development, Video Game Creation/Gamification, Electronics/Circuitry Kits, Physical Computing
  • Teq Product Alignment: 3Doodler, Bloxels, Breakout EDU, ClassVR, Cricut, Formlabs, Makerbot, Makey Makey, Maplewoodshop, Shaper, Ultimaker, xTool
  • Academic Alignment: Coding, ELA, Engineering, STEM, Art & Design
  • CTE Alignment: Arts, Entertainment, and Design, Hospitality, Events, and Tourism, Advanced Manufacturing
Here is a sample content standard for this iBlock:
Evaluate applications of cryptographic methods. (NYS Comp. Sci. & Digital Fluency: 9-12.CY.4)
Evaluate the effectiveness of an image or images to influence ideas, feelings, and behaviors of specific audiences.(National Core Arts Standards: VA.Re.7.2.IIa)
Breakout EDU
Escape Room iBlock now with Breakout EDU
Breakout EDU provides an opportunity for students to play active roles in their classrooms. Watch engagement soar as students become immersed in the game – asking questions, solving problems, and participating in group discussions.

Designing a Board Game

iBlocks Project Based Learning Objective:

Board games are experiencing a tremendous revival, fueled by new styles of gaming. A shift from luck and conflict to strategy and cooperation has brought new players into the genre. In this Designing a Board Game PBL (Project-Based Learning) iBlock, students will plan a game, research game mechanics, design their play area and pieces, and then determine how to play-test their creation. Finally, they’ll examine how to package and publicize their game, and maybe even present a sales pitch to interested buyers.
An iBlock matches skills to standards (like Common Core or NGSS).
Here is a sample content standard for this iBlock:
Demonstrate persistence in developing skills with various materials, methods, and artmaking approaches in creating works of art or design. (National Core Arts Standards: VA.Cr2.1.7a)

Geometric Self-Watering Planter

iBlocks Project Based Learning Objective:

Are you looking for a creative, project-based way to teach your students about computer-aided design? In this iBlock, students will construct a geometric self-watering planter in Tinkercad. This Geometric Self-Watering Planter PBL (Project-Based Learning) iBlocks project will utilize advanced skills in CAD software and challenge students to think mathematically while designing.
  • Grade Band: 6-8
  • Primary Focus: CAD, STEM
  • Secondary Focus: Geometry, Horticulture
  • Additional Foci: Advanced Literacy, Transferable Skills, Social-Emotional Learning
  • Suggested Product Category: 3D Modeling (incl. 3D printers, laser & craft cutters), Hydroponics Units, AR/VR, Data Loggers
  • Teq Product Alignment: 3Doodler, ClassVR, Formlabs, Makerbot, Merge, Shaper, Ultimaker, xTool
  • Academic Alignment: STEM, Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Art & Design, Hydroponics
  • CTE Alignment: Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Arts, Entertainment, and Design
Here is a sample NGSS standard for this iBlock:
Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. (NGSS: MS-ETS1-2)

Prosthetics

iBlocks Project Based Learning Objective:

Technology and design have had a major impact on the function of modern-day prosthetics. They’ve also served to make prosthetics more accessible. In this Prosthetics PBL (Project-Based Learning) iBlock, students will navigate through the Engineering Design Process to design and develop a prosthetic device. To complete this task, students will explore 21st century skills such as critical thinking, innovation, and collaboration. Solutions can include computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, circuitry, and more.
Here is a sample NGSS standard for this iBlock:
Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts. (NGSS: HS-ETS1-3)

Rube Goldberg Machines

iBlocks Project Based Learning Objective:

Rube Goldberg Machines accomplish a simple task through an elaborately humorous and overcomplicated method. In this Rube Goldberg Machines PBL (Project-Based Learning) iBlock, challenge your students to think outside the box and discover the unexpected kinetic properties in everyday objects as they design their own Rube Goldberg Machine (RGM). In order to build their contraption, students will research and explore simple machines and chain reactions and how they both relate to the world around them. From ideation to interaction, students will engage in creative thinking, critical reasoning, and teamwork as they engineer these truly unique machines.

An iBlock matches skills to standards (like Common Core or NGSS).
Here is a sample content standard for this iBlock:
Make observations to provide evidence that energy is conserved as it is transferred and/or converted from one form to another. (NGSS: 4-PS3-2.)

Space Systems: Engineer a Telescope

iBlocks Project Based Learning Objective:

Scientists have been trying to see and explore the mysteries of the universe for centuries. Over time, our understanding of space and the technology available to view the mysteries found there has evolved. In this Space Systems: Engineer a Telescope PBL (Project-Based Learning) iBlock, students will learn about the evolution of the telescope and the optical science that makes them work. Using their new or expanded knowledge, students will design and build a telescope, using 3D printed materials and other consumables, to make their own observations about space!
  • Grade Band: 9-12
  • Primary Focus: Astronomy, 3D Printing
  • Secondary Focus: Engineering
  • Additional Foci: Advanced Literacy, Transferable Skills, Social-Emotional Learning
  • Suggested Product Category: 3D Modeling (incl. 3D printers, laser & craft cutters), AR/VR
  • Teq Product Alignment: ClassVR, Formlabs, Makerbot, Shaper, Ultimaker, xTool
  • Academic Alignment: Science, Engineering, STEM
  • CTE Alignment: Advanced Manufacturing
An iBlock matches skills to standards (like Common Core or NGSS).
Here is a sample content standard for this iBlock:
Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system. (NGSS: HS-ESS1-4)

The Phys. Ed iBlock

iBlocks Project Based Learning Objective:

Calling all creative minds and game enthusiasts! Get ready to combine the power of physical education, health, and recreation through a project-based exploration that follows the engineering design process! This pathway will guide you in creating a solution that promotes healthy living and movement. Are you ready to combine the power of physical activity, mental challenges, and focus-boosting activities into a brand new physical activity? Get your athletic shoes ready and your innovation caps on. We’re about to develop a fun and engaging way to get our bodies moving and even sharpen our minds and focus!
Here is a sample content standard for this iBlock:
Identifies/ applies strategies to improve health-enhancing behaviors. (NY Phys. Ed Learning Standards: 3.2.6-7)

Tiny Houses

iBlocks Project Based Learning Objective:

With the world population estimated at around 7.7 billion, concerns rise over issues like housing, natural resource use, and environmental impact. Tiny houses have emerged as a movement and potential solution to mitigate our demands on energy consumption and our lifestyle footprint. Throughout this Tiny Houses PBL (Project-Based Learning) iBlock, students will explore energy consumption and efficiency, identify ways in which tiny homes can address efficiency concerns, design and engineer a tiny home solution model, and present their models at their very own home show.
An iBlock matches skills to standards (like Common Core or NGSS).
Here is a sample content standard for this iBlock:
Obtain and combine information from books and other reliable media to explain phenomena. (NGSS: 4-ESS3-1)

Laser Cutters & Engravers